Mischa Barton Makes Her Red Carpet Return In Printed Maxi Dress

Since her dramatic exit from the television series, Barton has launched a clothing line, got arrested and been sectioned (really) but in more recent months, things have quietened down for the actress.

She's been seen filming a new movie Hope Lost (The Hollywood Reporter says Barton is playing a young Romanian girl) and when she's not on set, Barton has been busy party-hopping all over Los Angeles.

This weekend however, Barton surprised us with a rare red carpet appearance in Atlantic City as the unlikely host of The Pool After Dark party at Harrah's Resort.

Was she kitted out in her summer swimwear ready for a dip in the pool? Er, no.

Barton attended the event in a plunging navy maxi dress paired with sparkly silver pumps and a matching belt.

She completed her look with glossy blue nails, a tousled down do and smoky turquoise eye makeup - a perfectly sensible choice for a night out, but a pool party? We'd never have guessed that was the theme of Barton's bash from this look.

A swimsuit isn't exactly an appropriate outfit choice for the red carpet, but a tropical print, a pair of sandals, or at least some statement sunglasses might have done the trick.